APM Terminals has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chinese port equipment manufacturer Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company Limited (ZPMC) to update its equipment through automation technologies.
This strategic alliance focuses on the joint development and deployment of a range of automated solutions, such as automated container handling equipment.
Signed virtually on 11 October, the MoU also includes an order from APM Terminals for 18 Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes and nine yard cranes from ZMPC across six terminals, as well as the reservation of production slots for additional 25 STS cranes and 62 Yard cranes in the future.
“With this alliance, we are leveraging our 23 year-long relationship more effectively, in which APM Terminals demonstrates strong commitment towards ZPMC and in return receives prioritisation of factory capacity, access to the best resources and active involvement in product development,” stated the CEO of APM Terminals, Morten Engelstoft.
The Chinese company’s automated equipment is already in operation in several of APM Terminals’ facilities, including Vado Ligure in Italy, Lazaro Cardenas in Mexico, as well as its latest automated terminal in Tangier, Morocco.
Given the automation focus of the partnership, both parties expect the new framework to also bring closer collaboration in fields such as safety, supply chain and decarbonisation.
